Guru Nanak Dev Ji traveled to the far corners of the world to spread his message of a universal truth: to see a divine light that lives in every human being. With that, he uplifted humanity to live with dignity and grace.

Now, 550 years following his birth, the Bani of Japji Sahib has inspired followers from all around the world to translate his prayer into their language.

The Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Yogiji inspired Western Sikhs to adopt a daily practice of reciting Japji Sahib in their morning sadhana. Inspired individuals translated Japji Sahib into their native language for the benefit of their communities – thus expanding the reach of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s message even further.

Now, through the efforts of many wonderful volunteers, from countries across the globe, we have translations of Japji Sahib in many languages. This page contains links to the translation of Japji Sahib in 20 languages. Click this image to read Japji Sahib in Gurmukhi, as written by Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Click on the image of the language below and you will be taken to a PDF document of that translation. If you scroll down this page, you’ll find out more about the translators and the artist for these beautiful translations.

The translators of the languages represented on this page are as follows:

How these Translations Came to Be

In 2019, Sikh Dharma International commissioned a special volume, which included Japji Sahib translated into 19 languages. This compilation of Japji Sahib was created as a loving offering to the Sadh Sangat for the occasion of the 550th Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birth. It is comprised of nineteen different languages where each country’s interpretive translation* is presented in their native script and is held within an artistic border depicting their country’s national flower. This scripture titled “Japji Sahib – the Light of Guru Nanak for the World“, was given to the Sikh Museum at the Golden Temple.

About the artist:

We are grateful to Jiwan Randhir Singh (aka Timothy Teruo Watters), the artist who created the beautiful artwork for each language translation. He is an artist, author and graphic designer. Whether writing adventurous tales, painting in watercolor or oils, Jiwan Randhir is always creating and blending the old with the new. His first children’s book When Piglets Fly was published in 2019 and is available on Amazon.com. He is honored to be a part of this Japji Sahib offering. His art can be viewed at TimothyWatters.com.

Presentation of the Volume of Japji Sahib Translations

On November 7, 2019, a press conference took place as part of the Light of Guru Nanak Yatra, to present the original 400 page “Light of Guru Nanak for the World” Volume, which includes Japji Sahib in 19 languages. Then on November 8, 2019, this sacred volume was offered as a gift to the Golden Temple Museum on behalf of the Sangat of Sikh Dharma International.

We value each translation that was given as an offering to this project for the occasion of the 550th Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthday. Because there are multiple languages, Sikh Dharma International was not in a position to verify the accuracy of each of the translations. Each individual who shared the message of Japji Sahib offered their best interpretation of this Bani as they translated it from English into their own native language.